The Scriptures are clear. There is no one who does good...not even one. No one, accept Jesus, can claim to be without sin. There are times, even as believers, that we'll fail. But it's what we do AFTER we sin...that matters. Do we try to hide it? Do we lie about it? Do we push it aside and refuse to deal with it? Well, as children of God...we're to respond how DAVID did. You see, when he was made aware of his sin...he confessed and repented. He turned AWAY from the sin. Christian, we must DEAL with our sin. When we hide it or continue IN it... we're setting ourselves up for destruction.

Many people say: 'It's my life and I'll do what I want to.' But what they don't understand...is that what they DO...will always affect others. This is especially true in the case of sexual sin. And that's what we'll be discussing today. Don't think for even a MINUTE that your sin won't create a ripple affect of negative consequences. When we enter into the realm of sexual sin, we affect the person we are involved with. We hurt our spouses and our children. We hurt our friends...and our testimony becomes damaged.

In today's message, we'll be reminded of the influence we have on those around us...especially our children. Understand that they are VERY observant. They see our successes...and they see our failures. They see when we are trusting in God...and they see when we're lacking in faith. So what kind of influence do YOU want to have on your children? Do you want them to grow up in a home that trusts in the promises of God? Do you desire for them to see what it looks like to walk in obedience, relying on God's grace? That should be the heart of EVERY believing parent.

We have an enemy...and his name is Satan. He's a foe that we're not to play around with. His goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. And in our own flesh, we are no match. We'll be defeated. But as believers, we need not fear him...because we have a god who is FOR us. The Scriptures teach us that greater is HE the is in US...than he that is in the world. What that means is that God is more powerful than ANYTHING Satan tries to throw our way. If we cling to our Heavenly Father and His Word, we will not fall into the dangerous traps of the enemy.

Throughout the years, people have tried to come up with their own way to God...with their own way to worship Him. They have even come up with their own VERSION of who He is. But what we must understand is this: That it doesn't matter what WE think...it only matters what God's Word SAYS. The Scriptures are clear. There's only one way to God...and that's through His Son, Jesus. And there's only one way we're to worship Him...and that's according to His holy standard...which is the Bible. We cannot add to or take away from what HE has already established.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. Everything we have and everything we are comes from the gracious hands of our heavenly Father. From every breath we take, every second of our lives, to every relationship we enjoy with the people we love. The provisions we receive beyond what we need, and the blessing of life every morning we wake up. When we begin to understand that ALL that we have comes from GOD, then we will begin to see life in a different light. Since all that we have and all that we are comes from GOD, isn't it just right to spend every bit of it for His glory's sake?

GOD answers ALL our prayers. He answers some with Yes, some with No, and He answers some with Wait. GOD knows what is best for us. He gives us what we need, WHEN we need it, NOT when we think we should have it. GOD's goal is to conform us into the image of Christ, and He does so by delaying and sometimes by not giving what we asked of Him. It is to test our faith and grow us into trusting Him. Regardless of how GOD responds to our petition to Him, we need to remember that He is GOD. His ways our higher than ours and His thoughts are not like ours.

The world that we live in is full of wickedness and lies. The god of this world – Satan, has blinded the minds of people through his deception and lies. Many people, even some believers in Christ, have puttered along through life and looked the other way while the world has crept into their lives and taken over. As true followers of Christ, we hold a powerful Truth that can set people free. GOD's Word has the power to convict, enlighten, and restore the lost, IF we only care enough to share the Truth regardless of the consequence.

In today's message, we'll be encouraged to submit to God. To allow Him to work in and through us. Remember that we're not to take pride in the works of our hands. We must realize that it is our FATHER that is doing the work. All WE must do...is say YES to Him. And when we do, He'll empower us to DO what is right. He'll lead us in the right direction. However, when we try to accomplish things in the flesh, the outcome won't be as favorable. And while we might be able to experience some success, the pleasure will be short-lived.

A lot of people make this common mistake when considering salvation. They think that they need to clean up there act BEFORE coming to Him. They think that they can't be received...unless they are ALREADY clean. But is this true? Can this idea be found in the Scriptures? Certainly not. It's just the opposite! When we realize our sinful state...when we see our sin for the filth that it is...we're to cry out to the ONLY one who can cleanse us. It's not something we can do ourselves...it's only by the shed blood of Jesus.